Music inspired by another art form has always been there, and like any other, it can range from truly inspired to really pretentious and practically unlistenable.
Trying to go the inspired and inventive way are two already established musicians – Emmy-nominated Austrian composer Paul Haslinger (Tangerine Dream) and French composer Christian Wittman (Lightwave). For their new project, the duo has formed a special record label, Noion, that is starting by creating works inspired by big names in literature, with the first two releases being devoted to French poet Stéphane Mallarmé (1842-1898) and Argentine writer and poet Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986)
Of course, having in mind what Haslinger and Wittman have previously done, and based on the first release, simply titled Mallarmé, we get (and will keep getting) music that some label as atmospheric minimalism, that is, sound exploration, and genre-defying music – from ambient to contemporary classical and drone.
Many might consider that broad musical spectrum as overpopulated in these times, and you really have to be inventive and know what you are doing to make it all work, with Haslinger & Wittman adding another level of complexity to their concept – trying to draw the right elements from literature and transferring them into music, conveying at the same time the spirit of the written word while including elements that will indicate why it is those words that inspired them.
Yet, with all of their background and musical experience and knowledge, Haslinger & Wittman successfully turn their concept on Mallarmé into music that is both complex and understandable at the same time.
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